Cottage Church Reflections, Week Seven (August 9/26)

On Sunday, Evangeline shared with us her experiences of life and ministry in Lebanon as CBM Global Staff. She compared the experience of the disciples walking the road to Emmaus to the present suffering of the people of Lebanon, revealing how deeply human it is to walk with “faces downcast” when hope feels deferred. Just as the disciples trudged home in confusion after witnessing Jesus’ death, many in Lebanon—and many of us here in Canada—carry a bone‑deep weariness from a world that feels increasingly fragile. Her message challenged the idea that resilience alone is enough. Resilience may keep us walking, but it can also feel like a long, exhausting “wall sit of the soul.” What we truly long for is not just endurance, but transformation—something that interrupts our status quo the way Christ’s resurrection interrupted the disciples’ grief.

We are invited to become people of resurrection, not only resilience. Like Jesus opening the Scriptures on the road, we are called to see the cosmic story God is writing—one in which renewal is not wishful thinking but a divine reality already breaking in. Just as Christ showed the disciples signs of resurrection in his wounds and the miracles he performed, we are called to embody signs of His kingdom through mercy, healing, and hope, even in times of destruction and discouragement. And like the disciples whose eyes were opened in the breaking of bread, we are reminded that resurrection becomes real when we encounter Christ intimately.

Whether through emergency relief in Lebanon, mentoring youth, comforting prisoners, or simply choosing to create beauty in dark times, we participate with the living Christ who still walks beside the weary. As we come to the communion table, these stories remind us to pray not only for resilience, but for the miracle of renewal—for hearts burning again, for communities restored, and for resurrection life to rise in Lebanon and here at home.

Join us for Week Seven of Cottage Church on Sunday, August 9th. For a Hymn Sing!

Cottage Church Reflections, Week Five (Jul 26/26)

This past Sunday Bethany and Michael Hoskin shared on “From Singleness to Partnership… in Mission”. They described their long and fulfilling lives as single people and what it has been like to find someone to partner with, especially on mission. This coming weekend, Bethany and her husband travel to Lubango, Angola in south-west Africa, for a month on short-term mission trip (sending organization: SIM Canada). They will partner there with local missionaries and organizations like the CEML Hospital, in teaching ESL, and in painting a few original murals. In addition they hope to assist the hospital with its inventory system. They are grateful for the support of Altadore in their ministry and mission work and look forward to seeing where God guides them next in their marriage… Find out more about the trip, see their videos, and follow their blog at: www.bethanyandmichael.com

Join us for Week Six of Cottage Church on Sunday, August 2nd. Evangeline Hammond will be sharing her story…

Cottage Church Reflections, Week Four (Jul 19/26)

This past Sunday McQuina spoke on “Trust and Obey” - living as a Christian with anxiety. She opened up about the struggles of trusting God, when everything makes you afraid. Small changes feel big and big changes feel impossible... God is not there to make them go away, but to be present with us through the motions (good and bad).

Having a hard time doesn’t mean God isn’t there and he certainly doesn’t expect you to be ok all of the time. Sometimes “trusting” God is letting yourself feel afraid.

Join us for Week Five of Cottage Church on Sunday, July 26th. Bethany and Michael Hoskin will be sharing their story…

Cottage Church Reflections, Week Three (Jul 12/26)

This past Sunday at Cottage Church, Judy Macalino shared a powerful reflection on finding God's comfort during unwanted transitions. Drawing on her personal journey from elite athletics into chronic illness. Judy highlighted a profound truth: God is not a hollow affirmation we repeat to ourselves. Instead, He is a real Spirit who brings true peace. When we seek Jesus, who knows our grief intimately, His Spirit provides comfort tailored specifically to our heart.

Our post-service conversation focused heavily on the reality that God never promises a life free of trouble. Instead, He promises His presence and the assurance that He has already overcome the world's troubles. While we may sometimes suffer without human company, we never have to suffer without God. True Christian resilience occurs when God infuses us with His own brave heart, building an unshakeable tabernacle within us.

The theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer deeply understood this mystery. He lived as both the courageous man others saw and the weary person he knew himself to be. Neither reality canceled out the other; strength and vulnerability coexisted completely. Bonhoeffer knew his true identity lay beyond his fluctuating emotions. It was anchored at the foot of the cross, where suffering was ultimately overcome. As he famously wrote in his poem Who Am I?: "Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine." 

Judy invites us to encounter God. To know with absolute certainty that the God who dwells within us will never leave us. He has overcome all suffering. No matter what comes next, we are completely known, and we belong wholly to Him.  

Join us for Week Four of Cottage Church on Sunday, July 19th. McQuina Peters will be sharing her story…

Cottage Church Reflections, Week Two (Jul 5/26)

Listening to Shawn and Lara share about their transition into their calling with The Salvation Army was encouraging. What stood out was the joy that can come from trusting God through seasons of change. Their story reminds us that transitions are not always easy or predictable, but they can become opportunities to grow in faith and to see God's guidance more clearly. The message from Isaiah 28 reinforced the importance of building our lives on God's firm foundation and trusting His wisdom as He leads us step by step. We were also reminded that, as we follow God's call, we are never alone. God goes before us, surrounds us with His presence, and His angel armies watch over His people as they walk in faith. It was a meaningful reminder that God is faithful in every season and that following His call brings both purpose, hope, and the confidence that He is always with us.

Join us Week Three of Cottage Church on Sunday, July 12th Judy Macalino will be sharing her story…

Cottage Church Reflection, Week One (June 28/26)

This past Sunday at Cottage Church, Trudy shared a beautiful reflection on what it means to love someone through transition.

Using the life of a butterfly as her guide, she invited us to consider how transformation is rarely easy or immediate. There are seasons of uncertainty, grief, courage, waiting, and profound joy. Supporting someone we love through change often asks something of us too. It calls us to let go, to learn, to trust, and to keep choosing love.

Thank you, Trudy, for reminding us that transformation isn't something to fear. It's woven into creation itself. And sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is stay present long enough to watch someone spread their wings.

Join us Week Two of Cottage Church on Sunday, July 5th Lara Peters & Shawn Malsbury will be sharing their story…

Prayers and Reflections

This Sunday morning June 28, 2026 following Cottage Church the membership at Altadore Church meet to vote on a new lead pastor candidate. May the following scriptures guide your prayers...

Colossians 4:2-4 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; ...praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak...”

Hebrews 13: 7, 17 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you … so that their work will be a joy, not a burden...”

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word … correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Guest Speaker Reflection

The following is more information about the entities Rod Olson shared about on Sunday during his Table Church Topic: “Protocol of Belonging…”

Land of Dreams 

I started Land of Dreams with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society as the fiscal partner in 2019. It is a  30 acre mulituultural farm on provincial land 6525 84 Street SE. It is built on three pillars - building relationship with our Indigenous community, providing access to land for newcomers with agricultural backgrounds and together repairing a former construction site through regenerative agriculture. 

It has been a labour of love and I am about to launch the 2.0 version that will be offering support for food sovereignty and food security in the City. One of my favourite things is to watch someone grow a plant that is common in their country here - purslane for the Yazidi women and Black Night shade for the Cameroonian communities. You can see "home" flash across their eyes. 

I have created a not for profit to better align the work to food sovereignty - it is called Land of Dreams Urban Farm & Cultural Centre so there is a moving on from CCIS and we are building in a new site as well. If anyone is interested I do have a newsletter that you can join by emailing connect@landofdreams.earth

EnerGaia 

This is a start up created by myself and two other partners (Greg and Jason) both from Calgary. 

We are an environmental infrastructure project that takes Palm Oil mill waste and turns it into valuable products. 

Each mill has mountains of Empty Fruit Bunch waste which can be turned into biochar through pyrolysis - this becomes a soil amendment that can improve the fertility, structure and water holding capacity of the soil. We are looking to ship the stable biochar into the UAE to assist with "greening the desert". 

Each mill also has several ponds of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) which is produced through steam sterilization of the fruit when it comes in from the field. These ponds (typically 10-12 on each palm oil mill are responsible for 7% of Indonesia's greenhouse gas emissions in the form of methane and through our membrane technology we can eliminate that. 

It has been a very educational journey - we are in the midst of a raise so we are always happy to tell the story to anyone that might be interested in diversifying their investments into work that intends to make a big impact. 

REV. RYAN'S FAREWELL AND SERMON REFLECTION

On behalf of Sandy and myself, I offer a huge "Thank you!" for a fantastic Sunday and Pot-Luck frivolities and cheer. Y'all are an amazing, faithful, fun, devoted and kind-hearted Church and you have certainly blessed my heart as I have served alongside you in the past several months. The Lord will continue to have good things in store for you. . . and I am grateful to have been a part of the ministry of this church for such a time as this.

This past Sunday, we also spent sometime in ACT IV of the Godstory. . . and yes, the ACT is all about Jesus! And I invited us to stand alongside the NSM (the newly-sighted man) of John chapter 9 and receive and hear the blessings and promises of Jesus as Jesus talked about being a Shepherd and the "way" (gate) to abundant life (John 10:10).  We talked of life in the A.S.P. (the Altadore Sheep Pen) and though we acknowledged that it wasn't always neat and tidy, it's a place where we can cultivate and nurture affection and loving support. 

We don't do this in our own strength! We pour out affection and loving support as the Spirit of Jesus pours affection and loving support into our lives. Jesus consoles and companions with us and promises that nothing will overwhelm us. . . for no one will snatch us out of the hands of Jesus (John 10:28). 

So. . . this week, know that you are nurtured and cared for! Keep on reflecting upon and drawing encouragement from the images of Psalm 23 (see the FNV version attached) and if the "breath prayer" that we learned on Sunday is meaningful, keep on praying it and breathing it!

May we behold ourselves and others. . . with loving kindness and faithful care.

Peace be with you!
Rev. Ryan

Guest Speaker Reflection

The Christian journey is one of welcome.  God welcomes us...we welcome God...we welcome ourselves...we welcome others.  It all starts with God, just as "in the beginning".  God seeks us, knows us and welcomes us.  He welcomes us into His heart, His Church, His grace, His forgiveness and His ways.  With a welcome THAT big, we can accept His welcome, create our own welcome, and bring our own welcome wherever we go.  The Spirit's presence is so full in us, that we do not need to rely on others' reaction or acceptance to live out God's will.  If someone doesn't fully accept us, we are already accepted by God, therefore we can stand tall in God's blessing.  If someone does not forgive us, we have already been forgiven by God, and we can walk confidently in God's grace.  Bringing God's grace, love, forgiveness and joy to someone does not rely on their response - it comes from God, and we bless others for God's glory, not others' affirmation or acceptance.  Thank you, Altadore, for welcoming me last Sunday...and hundreds of Sundays before that.  Your welcome has been life-changing for me and many others.  You're welcome.

Rob Low

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

This past Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday! It was a great day to wear our colours (red & orange) and rejoice in the reality that the Spirit of Jesus, who came to the first group of Jesus-followers 2000 years ago, still comes to us and abides with us today! We took heed of Peter's famous sermon from Acts chapter 2 and wrote down and shared our own words of encouragement, our visions and our dreams for one another and for Altadore Church. See the Church bulletin board in the gymnasium (on the south wall) and be encouraged and inspired. Feel free to fill out your own "foam board picture-message" and pin it to the bulletin board during the long Christian Year season that lays ahead of us (named the "Season after Pentecost" or "Ordinary Time").

Be encouraged and inspired by the Pentecost Prayer below:

"Loving God
open our hearts
so that we may feel the breath and play of your Spirit.
Unclench our hands
so that we may reach out to one another,
and touch and be healed.
Open our lips
that we may drink in the delight and wonder of life.
Unstop our ears
to hear your agony in our inhumanity.
Open our eyes,
so that we may see Christ in friend and stranger.
Breathe your Spirit into us,
and touch our lives with the life of Christ."

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

IMAGE COURTESY OF UNSPLASH.COM

We worshipped through the 50 days of Easter and this past Sunday, spent time with one of Paul’s “Joy & Love” letters, the letter to the Philippians. We reflected on and learned from one of the most popular passages in all the New Testament, Philippians 2:5-11.

And I encouraged us to be open and aware of the places and the people, where you/we might be able to put the life of Jesus on display. . . and as we follow the way of Jesus, we will spill forth the joy of Jesus, as it spills forth into us! And our journey outward with this joy looks like acts of comfort, consolation, partnership, compassion and tender mercy.

And. . . the best news of all. . . is that it’s not a matter of us trying harder! In verse 13, we read that “It is God who is at work in you!” Hurrah! Rest in the grace of God. . . and be empowered by the Holy Spirit’s work in you. . . in us.

And see attached the bookmark/little sign that was made for last Sunday, highlight the Message translation of verse 13. Carry it with you this summer, or post it somewhere in your house and be encouraged by the promises of God. . . who is at work in YOU!

pastor@altadorechurch.com

Guest Speaker Reflection

Chaplaincy is about listening, which is one way to walk humbly with our God.  As soon as someone walks into a hospital, loss is suffered.  There may be a loss of independence, a loss of dignity, a sense of loss of choice, and even a loss of sleep!  Losses such as these result in spiritual distress and by actively listening to patients and their stories, often patients will experience relief, feel heard and cared for, and can find meaning in their experience.  So, as you meet with friends and family this week, practice listening.  Listen without judgment and listen without thinking about what you will say in response.  Your listening may give someone a release they have been longing for.  They may feel heard and seen in a way that is quite rare in these times.

Kathy Brown

Guest Speaker Reflection

Paul's bears witness in Athens to both philosophers and idolaters. By his observations of the life of the city, Paul sees the way these Gentiles have in their own way searched for God, groped after God (17:27) and he offers an alternative answer to their search. He tells them that the God they see in the world around them has made himself known in the resurrection of the man who is also appointed to judge the world in righteousness (17:31). Luke's account of Paul's witness guides us in our call to be witness to the resurrection (1:8).

Dr. Jo-Ann Badley

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

Image Courtesy of Unsplash

This past Sunday (Easter 4) we participated in an "embodied prayer practice," namely the Prayer Labyrinth. It was a rich and blessed time together. The Altadore Labyrinth is a portable one, that can be easily set up with a group of friends. If you'd like to borrow it or learn more about it, feel free to reach out to the church office and Nada (she is a longtime "curator" of our Labyrinth). There are also outdoor Labyrinths in the city (ie. FCJ Retreat and Conference Centre, Silver Springs Botanical Gardens). 

See attached our handouts from Sunday's session that include a finger labyrinth so you can do this prayer practice almost anywhere!

One of my favourite quotes from Sunday is shared below. . . I especially love the word "muddle"!

Since the destination is assured, there are no obstacles to overcome, no muddles to figure out, no dead ends to retrace. What remains for the labyrinth walker is simply the deeply meditative and symbolic discipline of setting one foot in front of the other, of honouring the journey itself and what it has to teach. The mind can be stilled and attention paid to the body, the wisdom of the heart, and the graces of being rather than doing.
Melissa Gayle West, “Exploring the Labyrinth”

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

image of paul: Unknown source

We are 18 days into the 50-day Season of Easter and we are still proclaiming "He is Risen!"

This past Sunday (Easter 3) we were galloping alongside Saul in his gleaming chariot (Acts, Chapter 9) just as he got upended by the Spirit and presence of Jesus. Saul is transformed. . . and just as important, so is Ananias (though Saul/Paul's fame would be quite more enduring that Ananias!). 

I invited us to walk the way of Saul this week. . . open to the marvels and the surprises of how God loves and finds a way to reach those who seem "un-reachable." Be encouraged because God loves the world (John 3:16) and God gets what God wants!

My other invitation was to encourage us to walk the way of Ananias this week. The Spirit of Jesus is always wanting to expand the boundaries of the dream/kingdom of God. And God chooses to use US as the people who will enter places where people need to encounter of the love, kindness, hospitality and welcome of Jesus. We, like Ananias, might say: "Really God? Are you sure you didn't get your wires crossed?" And the Spirit of Jesus gently replies to us and says: "Go. . . this is a matter of my choosing, and my restoration."

May God's Empowering Presence grant us courage and strength for the journey in these days of Easter.

Here are words of inspiration that may encourage us along the way:

Jesus will have no hierarchies,
no separations or divisions,
not even between us and him.
“Call no one good but God.”
There are no greater and lesser,
no servants and masters,
no insiders and outsiders.
Not even believers and unbelievers.
Only friends, peers, siblings, companions.
Every stranger is a sibling.
Every person you meet is a friend
for whom you would lay down your life.
There is no “them.” There is only us.
In the love of Christ, befriend this world
and everyone in it;
you will never be alone.
— Steve Garnaas-Holmes, “Friends”

Solidarity Sunday Reflection

This past Sunday, in addition to hearing from our own Marilyn & Wilf about their volunteering with Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, we joined together with Baptist churches across Canada to celebrate Solidarity Sunday. We heard from Jennifer Lau, CBM Executive Director on the theme "Walking Together in Unity" based on Ephesians 4:25-32, as well as workers in Asia and Latin America. To access the resources we utilized, including a couple of songs from Common Place Worship (CBM & Vennture), please visit: https://www.cbmin.org/resource/solidarity-sunday-2026/

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

The 50-day Season of Easter is here! This past Sunday (Easter Sunday) I encouraged us to run alongside Mary and be a "I have seen the Lord" kind of people. Look for places of resurrection. . . in your homes, in your yards, in your neighbourhoods. . . and know that Jesus is present in those places of new life and new creation. During our Church Service on April 19, I'll invite a few of us to share "resurrection stories" as we encourage each other with the presence of a living Christ in our midst. 

resurrection © andre kamba luesa

And as we continue our journey in this first week of Easter, see attached (or linked here) images and prayers that might encourage and inspire:

--The picture of the Resurrection as portrayed by the Congolese artist Andre Kamba Luesa. The Risen Christ bounds with joy and victory over the chaos and the darkness of the valley, using his cross like a pole-vault! The son of God rises with the sun . . . with the glowing orb enlightening Christ's countenance.

--Carry these Easter prayers that we prayed together on Easter Sunday. May they encourage and enlighten us.

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

We're in the final days of Lent and this past Sunday (Lent 6, aka Palm Sunday) we listened to the story of John 12:12-26, and joined the crowd that bustled alongside Jesus. And I invited us to put ourselves alongside the "seekers" of the crowd who asked: "We wish to see Jesus." 
And during our reflection time, I encouraged us to ponder anew, our position alongside Christ as we walk through Holy Week enroute to Good Friday.
A few directions for us to go with our reflections and prayers:
1) The way of New Life. . . what feels like it's dying or fading away in your life. . . can you see glimpses of new life arising?
2) The way of Relationship. . . Embrace the good news that Jesus is familiar with suffering and grief and if you are in a season of struggle and strain. . . Jesus abides with you through the challenges that lay ahead.
3) The way of Follower-ship. . .renew your call to follow Jesus. He doesn't promise us a care-free pathway, but his promise to us is deep, lasting life, here and now (John 10:10) and the certainty that we are never alone. Jesus says: "No one will snatch them (my sheep) out of my hand" (John 10:28).
I hope you have some time for silence this week so that you might ponder these thoughts.
A prayer for silence that I prayed on Sunday goes like this:
"God of Compassion,
in silence. . . 
may we learn to sit with you
and know that it is enough to know you
and be known by you
and know ourselves."

*See attached here, the Sunday prayer sheet, containing a THOMAS MERTON Prayer and a PALM SUNDAY prayer to carry into Holy Week

Rev. Ryan's Weekly Reflection

We had a creative and lively time of learning when we learned (or re-learned) the spiritual practice of "Visio Divina" this past Sunday (March 22).

Thanks to all who participated and thanks to Lara for bringing "real, living" clay for us and reminding us that clay is made up of all the elements of the universe (and we hold it right in the palm of our hand!). Wow!  Download via the button below, the handout that we used plus the picture named "Jesus in Gethsemane" by He Qi. Remember, this is a practice that you can do with any piece of art that draws you in. . . you can use an art piece/picture as a way to see, hear and sense from God. . . and then allow yourself to be encouraged and then sent forth into the world to be a blessing.

Here's a couple of pictures of the creativity that was emerging in our midst. Thanks be to God, for the Spirit of creativity that abides in us, for we are God's beloved "created ones."

Jesus praying in gethsemane © he qi

ALTADORE CHURCH TABLE CHURCH PHOTOS, MARCH 22/26, PHOTOS: LARA PETERS